Mormon Apostle Encourages Civic Participation by All Citizens

Rexburg, Idaho —

On Sunday Elder Quentin L. Cook, a senior leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), encouraged both Church members and those not of the faith to participate in the political process wherever they live.

Elder Cook addressed Church young adults across the globe from the BYU-Idaho Center in Rexburg, Idaho

“We would hope that [participation in the political process] would be true of all citizens, members and nonmembers alike, in all states and all countries where elections will be held,” Elder Cook said to college-age students Sunday in a regular worldwide satellite broadcast held at Brigham Young University-Idaho. “The price of freedom has been too high and the consequences of nonparticipation are too great for any citizen to feel that they can ignore their responsibility.”

Elder Cook specifically mentioned the caucuses in Utah and Idaho for the various parties that will be held starting this week. The First Presidency recently issued a letter to be read in all Utah congregations that encourages Latter-day Saints to attend their local precinct caucus meetings. (The Church is politically neutral and does not endorse candidates or parties.)

Elder Cook also taught Latter-day Saints to develop high moral character and practice civility in daily discourse.

“Any use of the Internet to bully, destroy a reputation, or place a person in a bad light is reprehensible,” Elder Cook said. “What we are seeing in society is that when people wear the mask of anonymity, they are more likely to engage in this kind of conduct which is so destructive of civil discourse. It also violates the basic principles the Savior taught. ”

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The Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is neutral in matters of party politics. This applies in all of the many nations in which it is established.